Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and a fatal police shooting. Some readers may find the content distressing. Crisis support resources are provided at the end. An RCMP staff sergeant who shot at an autistic teenager during a deadly police encounter in Surrey became emotional repeatedly Friday, describing the anguish of preparing to use lethal force against a 15-year-old boy. Staff Sgt. Chris DeHart was visibly tearful before he even began testifying at the coroner’s inquest into Chase De Balinhard’s death. The veteran officer acknowledged firing one round during the Feb. 9, 2025 encounter, saying he feared for his life when Chase pointed what appeared to be a revolver directly at him. But he also described struggling with the prospect of shooting a child. “When you train and you’re a police officer and you train for these type of things, you envision the boogeyman. You don’t think it’s a 15-year-old kid,” DeHart testified through tears. He said the experience felt surreal. “It’s the worst day of my life. Like I said, the worst day of my career. Nothing’s come close. Ever.” Chase was fatally shot after calling 911 from behind Clayton Heights Secondary School, telling the operator he intended to take his own life. Two officers fired almost simultaneously during a police response that lasted approximately 22 minutes. Chase was struck by a single bullet to the chest. The weapon Chase carried was later identified as a realistic-looking CO2-powered pellet pistol. DeHart later learned that his bullet was not the one that killed Chase. Instead, it struck the home of nearby resident John Peterson. In an earlier CTV News investigation, Peterson described the shooting and showed where the police bullet had lodged in his garage. ‘I don’t want to do this’ DeHart testified that he was working overtime when the emergency call came in. Although another lower-ranked supervisor was commanding the response, DeHart began assisting by requesting resources, including a ballistic shield and aerial surveillance. He initially hoped officers could contain Chase, slow the situation down and potentially involve specialized negotiators. DeHart also decided to visit the teenager’s parents, hoping they could provide information about the weapon and how best to communicate with their son. But as he approached the family’s home, he heard urgent radio traffic indicating Chase had moved away from officers and was pointing the apparent firearm at police. DeHart described driving through construction pylons along Fraser Highway to reach the scene. “If I don’t run in, then who does?” he asked, his voice breaking. He said he was so concerned about reaching the teenager before he encountered members of the public that he did not stop to put on his hard body armour. By the time DeHart arrived, officers were following Chase near Clayton Park. He described the teenager repeatedly pointing the apparent firearm at police and at his own head, while officers pleaded with him to put it down. DeHart said he searched for another way to resolve the situation, but feared Chase would reach nearby residential streets. At one point, he recalled thinking he might have to shoot. “I’m shooting this person, and I don’t want to,” he testified, describing his thoughts during the encounter. Eventually, DeHart took cover behind a police vehicle. He said Chase extended his arm and pointed the apparent firearm toward him. DeHart described hesitating, even considering whether he should allow Chase to fire first. “Your body’s repulsed. Doesn’t want to do it,” he said of the prospect of pulling the trigger. Ultimately, he testified that he fired because he believed he was about to be shot. After Chase collapsed, DeHart called for emergency medical assistance. Other officers rushed forward to provide first aid. DeHart testified that he became physically overwhelmed and fell to the ground. He did not know at the time that another officer had also fired. Another officer prepared to shoot Earlier Friday, RCMP Const. Daniel Hong testified that he, too, came close to firing his weapon. Hong described following Chase through Clayton Park while the teenager walked slowly, repeatedly moving what appeared to be a revolver from side to side. At one point, Hong said the barrel was pointed directly at his face. “I thought I would probably be shot,” he testified. Hong said officers repeatedly tried to communicate with Chase, using both commands and calmer, conversational language. But the teenager did not respond. Near 70th Avenue, Hong took cover behind a police cruiser near DeHart, aimed his carbine at Chase’s chest and disengaged the safety. He was prepared to fire, but continued hoping the teenager would put down the gun. “I was still hoping he would just drop the firearm,” Hong said. Before he fired, Hong heard a gunshot and watched Chase fall backward. “I do remember that moment clearly every day.” Afterward, Hong took possession of the apparent revolver and attempted to make it safe. Even with his military and police firearms experience, he testified that he initially believed it was genuine. Only after examining the weapon within inches of his face did he recognize details identifying it as a CO2-powered pellet pistol. The Independent Investigations Office previously determined the shooting was legally justified, finding that officers had reasonable grounds to fear death or grievous bodily harm. Could autism-specific training have helped? Under questioning from Chase’s family’s lawyer, J.A. Pankiw-Petty, both officers acknowledged gaps in their training. Hong testified that he had received general crisis-intervention instruction but did not recall autism-specific training or practical exercises involving autistic people in crisis. He agreed that officers had not been trained to recognize signs of autistic dysregulation and that information about Chase’s communication needs, triggers and calming strategies could have been helpful. Pankiw-Petty also questioned whether repeated shouted commands might have overwhelmed the teenager. Hong acknowledged that officers continuously issued instructions, but stressed they were not shouting rapidly throughout the encounter. He said police also tried speaking gently and using plain language. DeHart similarly welcomed additional autism-specific training, while maintaining that officers were facing what appeared to be an imminent firearms threat. He did not believe the training would have changed the outcome in the circumstances he encountered. Why weren’t Chase’s parents contacted? DeHart’s testimony also raised questions about the missed opportunity to speak with Chase’s family. He explained that he initially intended to visit their home to determine whether the apparent firearm was real and whether his parents could assist with communication. However, the rapidly escalating response forced him to abandon that plan. DeHart acknowledged he did not call them. As a parent himself, he said he feared that telephoning a family about their armed child could prompt them to rush to the scene and potentially place themselves in danger. He preferred an in-person conversation. Pankiw-Petty questioned him about RCMP guidance concerning efforts to contact family members or other significant support people during mental health emergencies. DeHart agreed that additional training on communicating with families could be valuable. He also welcomed the idea of a voluntary system allowing families to provide police with information about an autistic person’s individual communication needs, triggers and safety plan. “I love that idea,” he said. The inquest previously heard that Chase had a safety plan developed in 2023, outlining ways to help him during emotional distress. Although it was contained in his historical medical records, the psychiatric nurse assisting the police response did not locate it during the emergency. DeHart testified that he had not been aware of the plan. Could additional resources have changed the response? Jurors also examined whether officers could have slowed the encounter long enough to bring in more specialized resources. DeHart testified that he initially hoped to establish containment and potentially involve the Emergency Response Team, which has access to specialized negotiators. But he said the situation changed when Chase moved through the neighbourhood, where members of the public could encounter him. He described concerns about the limitations of less-lethal weapons, including Tasers and 40-millimetre launchers. DeHart was not carrying a 40-millimetre launcher. An officer who did have one previously testified that he could not find a safe opportunity to use it. DeHart also acknowledged that helicopters or drones might help police track a person from a distance, but their noise could potentially alert or distress someone in crisis. Hong told jurors he was unaware that another officer had a 40-millimetre launcher and agreed aerial surveillance could be a useful resource. Both officers emphasized that they believed Chase posed a deadly threat to police and potentially the public. DeHart maintained that officers were trying to protect Chase while preventing him from moving into more populated areas. But he also acknowledged the value of improving access to training, mental health professionals and resources that might help police resolve future emergencies differently. A family seeking change Chase’s parents have repeatedly emphasized that they are seeking improvements to first-responder training and communication, rather than blame. The inquest has examined questions about autism-specific training, access to individualized safety plans, family involvement and the availability of specialized police resources. DeHart testified that he has received considerable support since the shooting, but described the emotional impact as lasting. His testimony offered a glimpse into the fear and uncertainty officers experienced, while also underscoring the questions the inquest is considering about whether more could have been done. The coroner’s inquest cannot determine criminal or civil liability. Its purpose is to examine the circumstances of Chase’s death and consider recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies. This is a developing story. CTV News will continue to provide updates as the coroner’s inquest unfolds. For more background on Chase’s death, the circumstances surrounding the police response and questions about autism-specific training, read CTV News Vancouver’s award-winning investigative series, Lost in Translation, and our previous coverage of the inquest. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In British Columbia, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). Anywhere in Canada, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide Crisis Helpline. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
